A trick of the tail!
When we look at an organism, we see a host of different adaptations which have evolved to improve or enhance the fitness and survival of that species. One such trait … Continue Reading A trick of the tail!
Far flung gecko
I was surprised to learn that the Common house gecko, Hemidactylys frenatus, has expanded its native SE Asian range to include some Pacific Islands, Australia, South Africa, the southern USA … Continue Reading Far flung gecko
Lizard language
Flying lizards are a common group of agamids in southeast Asia. The Common Gliding Lizard, Draco Volans – also called the Javanese flying lizard – is found in Java and Bali … Continue Reading Lizard language
Dragons on the beach
There’s not an awful lot to say about Komodo dragons, other than the fact that they are a huge lizard – the biggest in the world – and give us … Continue Reading Dragons on the beach
A Balinese skink
I am very fond of skinks and it was a pleasure to see this beautiful creature on a number of occasions in Bali recently. They are however, rather shy and … Continue Reading A Balinese skink
Smiles like a reptile!
Bocage’s Wall Lizard (Podarcis bocagei) is only found in the NW corner of the Iberian Peninsula, including Galicia, Spain. It is a small lizard which is often seen on wooden broad-walks, where … Continue Reading Smiles like a reptile!
Tame me a Tegu!
I came across quite a few tegus – large lizards – when visiting Iguazu National Park in northern Argentina. As far as I can tell, they are all the Argentine black … Continue Reading Tame me a Tegu!
Dragons in the park
The Southeast Asian water monitor, a large lizard called Varanus salvator subspecies macromaculatus, occurs throughout southern Asia and Southeast Asia. It can grow very large, apparently up to 3 m in length, although … Continue Reading Dragons in the park
Pholidosis: scale patterns
Pholidosis is a name used by zoologists to refer to the pattern or arrangement of scales on the bodies of animals such as reptiles. The pattern of scales on different … Continue Reading Pholidosis: scale patterns
Iberian mountain lizard
I came across this lizard enjoying the late afternoon sunshine at the back of the Mirador da Miranda viewing point, which is a stone balcony overlooking the Ria Ortigueira and … Continue Reading Iberian mountain lizard
Garden Fence Lizard seen on fence!
The Changeable lizard (Calotes versicolor) certainly lives up to its name. Also called the Oriental Garden Lizard, the Garden Fence Lizard, or the Eastern Garden Lizard, it varies in colour and pattern … Continue Reading Garden Fence Lizard seen on fence!
Land iguanas: a link with the past
There are 44 species of iguanas (in nine genera), but remarkably, some are still undescribed (1). There are three Land iguanas found in The Galápagos Islands: Conolophus marthae, Conolophus pallidus and Conolophus subcristatus. The … Continue Reading Land iguanas: a link with the past
A sea-going lizard
A sea-going l izard.
A sea-going lizard
Marine iguanas (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) have probably been living happily on the Galápagos islands for over 10 million years (1). The first human being they saw was the Bishop of Panama … Continue Reading A sea-going lizard
Skinks, me thinks, are cool!
I like skinks. They look friendly! There is something about their smooth shape and rounded lines that looks more attractive than some other types of lizard. There are more than … Continue Reading Skinks, me thinks, are cool!
Bocage’s wall lizards turn green when mated
Bocage’s Wall Lizard (Podarcis bocagei), is another lizard which is endemic to (only found there in) the northwestern Iberian Peninsula. The adult males and females are sexually dichromatic – meaning … Continue Reading Bocage’s wall lizards turn green when mated
